Below and to the side of the iconic, old China Pearl sign on Tyler Street in Chinatown, a new sign hangs on the wall for the soon-to-be-open Shojo. Its graffiti-like brushstrokes stick out in stark contrast to the look and feel of the rest of the area. For Brian Moy, co-owner of the forthcoming Asian bar and bistro, it’s a sign of what’s to come. “I want to help revamp Chinatown a bit,” says Moy, who’s also the president of the area’s business association. “My long-term goal is to replicate what the North End has done for Italians.”

We stopped by the space, which is slated to open July 23, to get a preview. Every aspect of Moy’s restaurant—from the design to the building materials and the food and cocktail menus—evinces harmony between tradition and modernity. Read on to learn more about the forthcoming concept (and check out the menus).

Shojo: half-man, half-monkey

The first image patrons are greeted by as they walk through the doors of Shojo is the half-man, half-monkey Japanese mythological creature, pictured above, that Moy derives his restaurant’s name from.

Mural of the shojo’s quest

As Moy tells it, the shojo is on a quest for a never-ending sake river, crossing all harsh geographic areas in his search. Alec Strickland, a Boston-area artist and high school friend of Moy’s who painted all the art for Shojo, created the above mural on the large inside wall of the Asian bistro. The mural depicts the Japanese legend, ending in the top right corner, where the shojo has found his eternal sake river. “He’s in paradise over there,” says Moy.

This quest is more than just legend for Moy, however. “A lot of people I spoke with don’t understand different demographics of sake,” he says, which is why Shojo will be offering sake appreciation classes. According to Moy, rice wine is culturally important but the versions we’re familiar with in the States are actually the lowest-quality alcohol available. He and Shojo mixologist Markus Yao are creating a cocktail menu that will not only please but also educate those less familiar with the traditional beverage.

Bar area

And sake appreciation classes are just the beginning. Moy plans to host many events in his new space, with a Sapporo longboard promotion and Laced skate deck release party already on the calendar. He’s also got a weekly Ladies’ Night in the lineup. Every Friday, a DJ will serenade ladies with old-school crooners, such as Marvin Gaye, and new music alike. The music, says Moy, is something he really focused on, to subtly create a relaxed atmosphere for patrons. That, along with the lighting and bathroom (complete with bamboo sink and joystick faucet), is his Shojo pride and joy.

“I wanted to create a mental snapshot of who I am,” he says. The resulting simple, clean space is one part rustic, one part modern, with reclaimed wood from the 1700’s and 1800’s used throughout. Shojo will be open for not only lunch and dinner but also late-night, when the communal tables will be pushed against the walls and the DJ will come out from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m.

“I’ve been in the restaurant business 21 years, and it’s always been suit-and-tie,” Moy adds. “If I’m going to be here 14 to 16 hours a day, I want to be comfortable. I wanted to target what Boston is missing—a real, chill bar and lounge.”

Reclaimed-wood bar

Through all this, Moy stays respectful of his more-traditional neighbors. He wants to change the perception of Chinatown, he says, not denounce the community. To that end, Shojo will offer at least one meal that’s Buddhist friendly, which means there will be options for vegetarians and vegans too.

Get a peek at some of the menu offerings below (dinner is still being finalized, per Moy):